• U.S.
  • States

Death Toll in NorCal Wildfires Rises to 5

1 minute read

Two more bodies were found in the burn zone of the monster wildfire raging north of San Francisco, authorities said Thursday, bringing the death toll to five from a pair of major wildfires in Northern California.

The remains are presumed to be those of Leonard Neft, a retired reporter for the San Jose Mercury News, who was reported missing on Monday, and of Bruce Burns, who was reported missing on Tuesday, authorities said.

The so-called Valley Fire, still only 35 percent contained, has destroyed almost 600 homes. Authorities have previously said that a 72-year-old disabled woman was killed Saturday

Read more from our partners at NBC News

See Terrifying Photos of the California Wildfires at Night

The Valley Fire burns off Highway 29 Sunday evening. Valley Fire in Lake and Sonoma Counties Sunday September 13th, 2015. As of Sunday evening the fire had burned over 50,000 acres and was 0% contained. The Associated Press reported that at least one person was killed due to the fire.
The Valley Fire burns off Highway 29 on Sept. 13, 2015. Stuart Palley
The Valley Fire burns off Highway 128 Sunday evening. Valley Fire in Lake and Sonoma Counties Sunday September 13th, 2015. As of Sunday evening the fire had burned over 50,000 acres and was 0% contained. The Associated Press reported that at least one person was killed due to the fire.
The Valley Fire burns off Highway 128 on Sept. 13, 2015. Stuart Palley
A burned out truck sits in front of a destroyed structure in Middletown, CA Sunday evening. Valley Fire in Lake and Sonoma Counties Sunday September 13th, 2015. As of Sunday evening the fire had burned over 50,000 acres and was 0% contained. The Associated Press reported that at least one person was killed due to the fire.
A burned out truck sits in front of a destroyed structure on Sept. 13, 2015 in Middletown, Calif.Stuart Palley
The Valley Fire burns off Highway 128 Sunday evening. Valley Fire in Lake and Sonoma Counties Sunday September 13th, 2015. As of Sunday evening the fire had burned over 50,000 acres and was 0% contained. The Associated Press reported that at least one person was killed due to the fire.
The Valley Fire burns off Highway 128 on Sept. 13, 2015. Stuart Palley
The Valley Fire burns off Highway 29 south of Middletown, CA, Sunday evening Sept. 13, 2015. Valley Fire in Lake and Sonoma Counties Sunday September 13th, 2015. As of Sunday evening the fire had burned over 50,000 acres and was 0% contained. The Associated Press reported that at least one person was killed due to the fire.
The Valley Fire burns off Highway 29 south of Middletown, Calif on Sept. 13, 2015. Valley Fire in Lake and Sonoma Counties Sunday September 13th, 2015. As of Sunday evening the fire had burned over 50,000 acres and was 0% contained.Stuart Palley

More Must-Reads From TIME

Contact us at letters@time.com